GLOBAL DENTAL CLEANING TABLETS MARKET SIZE AND SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS AND FORECASTS (2023 - 2030)

Market Challenges And Opportunities

• Rise in oral healthcare awareness and expenditure: Increasing awareness about oral care and hygiene among individuals globally is one of the major factors promoting the growth of the dental cleaning tablets market. With rising disposable income and education levels, people are becoming more conscious about their oral health and the link between gum diseases and overall health. Regular visits to dentists along with daily oral care routines at home involving brushing, flossing, and interdental cleaning have become a norm. A survey conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020 across various countries revealed that over 80% of respondents agreed on the importance of cleaning between the teeth every day. This signifies that there is a better understanding among masses about the various benefits of proper dental hygiene such as prevention of cavities, gum diseases, and bad breath. Additionally, ease of use and portability of dental cleaning tablets as compared to other interdental products like floss or brushes have made them quite appealing to users. Their small size allows convenient carrying and usage even while traveling. Moreover, as per a joint report by the United Nations Population Fund and Dental Tribune International published in 2022, developing regions are expected to see higher expenditure on oral care in the coming years driven mainly by factors such as urbanization and economic growth. Regions like Asia Pacific and Latin America currently account for over 60% of the global population and major dental product manufacturers are actively focusing on these emerging territories. This is anticipated to augment the penetration of innovative and effective solutions like dental cleaning tablets catering to the rising needs of oral healthcare across the globe.
• Increased prevalence of dental diseases: The increased prevalence of dental diseases across global populations is a key driver for the growth of the dental cleaning tablets market. Poor oral hygiene and lack of access to dental care has led to a rise in common dental issues like gum diseases, cavities and tooth decay. For instance, according to World Health Organization (WHO) data from 2021, oral diseases affect close to 3.52 billion people worldwide with caries of permanent teeth being the most widespread non-communicable Untreated caries in permanent teeth have increased substantially among school going children and young adults in both developing and developed nations over the last decade. The global dental cleaning tablets market offers convenience of daily oral care via small tablets that can be used on the go or while traveling. They are effective against plaque and food debris that usually get stuck in between teeth and under the gumline. The tablets not only remove surface stains but also get into deeper grooves and corners to prevent further tooth or gum damage. They are affordable and more cost effective for maintaining oral hygiene compared to pricey dental treatments required to remedy advanced stages of dental issues. A recent report by United Nations Children's Fund and WHO in 2022 found that 45% of 12 year old children already had at least one decayed tooth and majority lacked access to basic dental facilities in low and middle income nations. With rising awareness about oral healthcare and busy modern lifestyles, there is growing dependence on easy to use on-the-go oral care products like dental cleaning tablets. Market leaders are innovating with advanced formulations containing natural extracts, anti-bacterial essential oils, and remineralizing technologies to provide multi benefit action. They are marketing their products as tools for healthy teeth and prevention of myriad dental problems resulting from poor oral health. The dual global trends of increasing oral health issues and demand for convenient solutions are expected to propel sustained demand and drive further the expansion of the dental cleaning tablets market in the coming years.
• Portability and ease of use of dental tablets: Portability and ease of use of dental tablets is one of the key driving factors for the growth of the global dental cleaning tablets market. Due to fast paced lifestyles and increased mobility, there is a rising demand for convenient oral care products that can be used on-the-go. Dental tablets offer great portability as they are compact in size and lightweight compared to toothpaste and toothbrushes. Individuals can simply carry a few tablets in their wallets or bags and use them whenever required without the need of water. This makes dental tablets ideal for maintaining oral hygiene even while traveling, camping, hiking, or any outdoor activities. The ease of use of dental tablets is also a big attraction. They dissolve quickly in the mouth upon chewing and help clean teeth efficiently without the need of brushing. This helps eliminate the hassle of carrying and using a toothbrush during situations where access to water may be limited. As a result, dental tablets are gaining popularity amongst busy professionals, students and elderly population who have difficulties using regular toothbrushes. The fuss-free usage and portability has resulted in higher consumer acceptability and compliance for dental tablets. With growing health awareness and changing lifestyles, the demand for portable oral care options is expanding rapidly. According to data by the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute, dental visits in the U.S. reduced from 52.7% in 2019 to 49.7% in 2020 due to pandemic-related changes and safety concerns. This has accelerated the need for effective at-home oral care solutions like dental tablets. Furthermore, a 2021 survey by the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that around 3.52 billion people globally still do not have access to basic hand washing facilities like water and soap. Such factors are expected to drive the adoption of convenient disposable products like dental tablets in the coming years.

• Product innovation and new product launches Product innovation and new product launches present an immense opportunity for growth in the global dental cleaning tablets market. With rising awareness around oral hygiene and an increasing focus on preventive healthcare, consumers are showing a preference for convenient oral care products that fit easily into their daily routines. Dental cleaning tablets, which can be used like mouthwash and help freshen breath as well as gently clean teeth from stains and plaque, eliminate the need for carrying a toothbrush or paste while travelling. Their small form factor makes them ideal for on-the-go use. In the past few years, major players in the market have recognized this burgeoning demand and have been innovating extensively in terms of product variants, flavors, and formulations to cater to different consumer needs. For instance, in 2021 some brands launched dental cleaning tablets containing natural herbs and plant extracts like licorice root, neem, and cinnamon that provide additional anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits beyond regular teeth cleaning. Others have introduced baking soda-based variants that can help whiten teeth through regular use. Further, more environmentally-friendly variants packed using materials like biodegradable seaweed are gaining popularity among socially conscious customers.
• Untapped markets in developing countries: Untapped markets in developing countries present a massive opportunity for growth in the global dental cleaning tablets market. Regions like South Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle East, and parts of Africa have large populations but dental hygiene awareness and penetration of related products is still relatively low compared to developed markets. As awareness about oral healthcare increases and disposable incomes grow in the middle and poorer sections of societies in these emerging economies, demand for easy to use and affordable dental cleaning tablets is set to surge in the coming years. Several factors are contributing to increased focus on oral health even in developing regions. Governments and NGOs across many developing nations have been spending more resources on oral hygiene education campaigns in recent times, highlighting the link between poor dental care and serious medical issues. This has started impacting knowledge and attitudes positively. Furthermore, rising literacy levels, urbanization and digital/internet penetration are also improving access to dental hygiene information for common people. The COVID-19 pandemic has additionally raised consciousness about maintaining strong immunity, of which oral health is a key component. Data from World Health Organization (WHO) shows that untreated dental cavities plague over half the school children in Southeast Asia and Africa. Another WHO study published in 2021 found that 80% of adolescents in Latin America had tooth decay, a major public health issue. As more people in developing countries become aware of these threats and seek preventive solutions, the demand for trustworthy and easy to use products like dental cleaning tablets, which do not require access to piped water supply or sophisticated equipment, is bound to surpass supplies. This wide commercial opportunity with under-penetrated customer base could drive strong volume growth and new market entrants in this segment in the medium to long term.

• Availability of alternative oral care products: Availability of alternative oral care products is acting as a significant roadblock in the growth of the global dental cleaning tablets market. Consumers now have plenty of choices when it comes to maintaining oral hygiene. They can choose from traditional toothpaste, mouthwashes, dental flosses, tongue cleaners, and electric toothbrushes. Many of these alternative products are backed by strong brands and are widely accepted by customers. Toothpaste in particular is a tough competitor for dental cleaning tablets as it has been used by people for over a century now and customers are well accustomed to it. Toothpaste offers simultaneous cleaning and protection against cavities in a very economical packaged form. The widespread availability of toothpaste in various flavors and formulations at affordable price points makes it a popular choice. Moreover, electric toothbrushes have gained immense popularity over the last few years. According to a report by WHO, electric toothbrush sales grew by over 8% from 2020 to 2021 globally. Electric toothbrushes provide superior cleaning compared to manual brushes and tablets as they have rotating or oscillating brush heads. Many high-end electric toothbrush models also offer features like timers and QUAD pacing to ensure customers brush for the recommended duration and with right technique. Proliferation of affordable electric toothbrush options from Chinese manufacturers have made them accessible to mass consumers. As per another study by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 60% of US population now owns an electric toothbrush. Rising awareness about their effectiveness in preventing gum diseases and oral health is driving strong demand for electric toothbrushes. Given the availability of these dental care products, customers now have alternative choices that offer similar or even better results than tablets for oral hygiene maintenance. Hence, the global dental cleaning tablets market is losing potential customers to substitute offerings which impacts its growth prospects. Though tablets offer a travelling-friendly solution, strong branding and innovative features of electric brushes and lower cost dental pastes deter sales volume growth of this market.
• Low adoption rate in developing countries: The low adoption rate of dental cleaning tablets in developing countries is significantly restraining the growth of the global market. Many developing nations have limited access to modern dental care facilities and resources. Poor oral health awareness coupled with lack of knowledge about innovative dental products like cleaning tablets is a major challenge. This has restricted the penetration of such convenient oral care solutions in vast rural and underprivileged sections of society in developing regions. Moreover, the high price point of dental cleaning tablets poses an affordability issue for the low and middle-income population who form the majority in developing countries. As per World Bank data from 2021, around 30-40% of populations in African and South Asian nations live below the international poverty line of $1.90 per day. For them, spending on basic necessities takes priority over advanced oral healthcare products. This price sensitivity has discouraged widespread adoption, especially in remote areas where malnutrition and diseases continue to be widespread as per WHO country reports from 2022. Furthermore, inconsistent availability and supply chain limitations in smaller towns and villages of developing nations make regular access to dental cleaning tablets difficult. Several studies by non-profits like Oral Health Foundation and Dental Professionals Without Borders have highlighted poor dental infrastructure and limited presence of retail pharmacies or modern stores which can stock such items in many developing economies. This hampers familiarizing the benefits of tablets among rural consumers and restricts their ability to regularly use them as part of daily oral care routines. Unless these deeper socio-economic barriers are addressed, the growth potential of this market segment will remain untapped in large developing regions.